River beat Boca with controversy: a small penalty for a big difference in the Monumental

It is an obvious truth when it comes to the merit of having achieved a goal, especially in football. How many times have pages been filled analyzing how this or that team plays, but loses against the more ‘practical’ or – in theory – has done less. In between are the styles. And the Superclásico that River beat in agony against Boca for round 15 of the Professional League will be scored, as will the referee’s performance Dario Herrerafor what petty criminal which made it possible to transfer to the result a big difference that was in the 90-odd minutes before the final scandal.

On that planet of merit, perhaps Lionel Messi I would have won a World Cup long before Qatar 2022; There would have been sporting achievements that are defined by voices other than goals… Everything remains in popular opinion, the one that put Herrera on the guillotine, which will judge the attitudes of the players and which will show almost in a loop the definition of Miguel Borgia.

Before that chaotic result, there was only one team that wanted to win. It was River, who without being overwhelming or overwhelming in his domination, was clearer and better executed than the plan his coach had devised Martin Demichelis. To the line of five defenders he proposed Jorge Almironthe millionaire’s DT responded by overpopulating the medium, looking for inside lines, which led to the lack of depth.

Indeed, in that first half there were just two precise shots from the locals: Nacho Fernández’s left foot that Chiquito Romero deflected for a corner and Lucas Beltrán’s header against the leg that went to kiss the right post.

Valentín Barco’s rear was the most fertile ground into which River planted his attacks. Almirón deceived everyone about the position he assumed (and surprised) in the Copa Libertadores matches, attacking deep with the wings, mainly Luis Advíncula, disappeared and absorbed in the Monumental.

The river was bolder. With his height inside the field of play, the mobility of the ball up to three quarters of the opponent’s field, the time of possession and the offensive modifications that Demichelis made in the final stretch, he justified that victory.

In the world of merits, and in which we don’t live either, there is still no device that measures the intensity of a hold or a blow. For this reason, Sandez’s touch on Pablo Solari – yes, it is undeniable that it existed – when he anticipated the ball in the 90th minute inside the area remains only in the interpretative plan.

We will talk for a few days, maybe weeks, about what should have happened in that final, but the football machine will continue on its way, as it almost always does. It will be a self-evident truth, but River deserved to beat Boca.